Benidorm awards the ‘Exemplary Neighbor’ 2019 to the former president of the Athletics Club and member of Caritas, Jesús Rosillo

Benidorm has presented today the award ‘Exemplary Neighbor’ 2019 to the former president of the Athletics Club and member of Caritas of the parish of La Almudena, Jesus Rosillo, in attention to his example and his constant delivery to citizens. The act of distinction, promoted by the Neighborhood Council, took place today in the Plenary Hall, chaired by the mayor, Toni Pérez; the Councilor for Citizen Participation, Ana Pellicer; and the first and second vice presidents of the Neighborhood Council, Teresa Garrido and Manuel Sánchez Notario, as well as members of the Municipal Corporation, the national deputy Agustín Almodóbar and representatives of the State Security Bodies and Forces and of the civil society of Benidorm.

The event has been enlivened by the piano professors of the Municipal Professional Conservatory of Music ‘José Pérez Barceló’. In the first place, the spokesperson of the commission of Exemplary Neighbor 2019 ’award, Francisca Fuster, who explained the election process, spoke. Then, the secretary of the Jury, Eusebi Chiner, read the minutes with the result of the deliberation, after which, the son of the winner, Jesús Rosillo Peñalver, has addressed a few words.

Without further delay, Toni Pérez and Ana Pellicer presented the prizewinner with a commemorative plaque and a book. Then, the mayor imposed the badge that certifies Jesus Rosillo as an exemplary neighbor of Benidorm 2019.

Jesús Rosillo addressed those present to express "my sincere thanks." "An honor of which I feel very proud." The winner thanked his family for the support and apologized "for the time" he had taken from them, "or rather, for which I did not give them," he stressed. He especially addressed his wife, without whom "I would not be collecting this award in this moment."

In his speech, the mayor highlighted the award to know "recognize an attitude to the lives of those who share with us every day." Toni Pérez recalled that it is one of the "few collective awards born from the neighborhood initiative" but "aimed at only one person."

About the winner, he said that "he is a great friend of mine and everyone." He remembered his professional career as a municipal official for 34 years and stressed that "the values ​​of Jesús Rosillo go far beyond public service." "Because you," he stressed, "without realizing it, collaborating with your mates in the church, in your brotherhood, always predisposed, have won this recognition." Toni Pérez certified that "every time you ask him for something, Jesús answers‘ What do you need? " That - it has meant - is wonderful because it is the best example for which today, your town, has named you exemplary neighbor 2019 ”.

Exemplary Neighbor Election Process

The deadline for submitting candidates for this recognition was open from mid-August to September 15. Each candidacy should be backed by three neighbors or an entity. A specific Commission was responsible for studying all the applications and selecting three finalists; which have subsequently been assessed by an external jury chaired by Exemplary Neighbor 2012, Antonio Gonzaga, and who were also invited to participate in the winners ceremony other years.

Brief Curriculum of the Neighbor 

Retired official of Benidorm City Council, for 12 years he was president of Benidorm Athletics Club, and more than two decades member of the Board of Directors; In addition to participating in more than 200 events representing the city. He has also been a National Athletics Judge; He has collaborated as an environmental volunteer; and has participated in the opening of the route that links Benidorm with Camino de Santiago. In 2009 he joined as a volunteer in Cáritas; and since 2000 he belongs to Cristo del Perdón y la Buena Muerte Brotherhood , being this year president of the Board of Brotherhoods of Holy Week. In addition, he is a founding partner of Tramontana Sociocultural Group.

In previous years, Francisco Fenoll, Antonio Gonzaga, Carmen Cerdá, Mª Rosa González and Juan José García - both posthumously -, Casimiro Vila, Eusebi Chiner and María Zaragoza have been recognized with the ‘Exemplary Neighbor’ award.